The latest on the Covid-19 pandemic as Olympics approach

By Melissa Mahtani, Meg Wagner, Mike Hayes, Melissa Macaya and Veronica Rocha, CNN

Updated 12:18 AM ET, Thu July 22, 2021
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7:04 p.m. ET, July 21, 2021

It will be easier to mandate Covid-19 vaccination when vaccines are fully approved, NIH director says

From CNN's Lauren Mascarenhas

Once Covid-19 vaccines receive full approval, it will be easier to mandate Covid-19 vaccination in the US, National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins said Wednesday.

“If it was approved with the full approval from FDA – which we all anticipate may be coming pretty soon, maybe in the next couple of months – then the legal ability to mandate becomes a lot stronger,” Collins told CNN’s Jim Acosta. 

Collins noted that some colleges are already mandating Covid-19 vaccines for children, including the schools his grandchildren will be attending in the fall.

“I'm personally glad to see that,” he said. “It's so straightforward here to try to keep us from having outbreaks on college campuses with vaccines that are safe and effective.”

“What's not to be in favor of?” Collins added.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci recently said it is likely that Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine will receive full approval by the end of August.

5:14 p.m. ET, July 21, 2021

How the White House plans to disclose positive Covid cases of officials deemed to be in close contact

From CNN's Jason Hoffman

The White House will disclose positive Covid-19 cases from any White House official who is deemed to have been in close contact with a principal by the White House medical unit, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday, in a slight revisions to the policy she outlined previously

“What we're going to be providing moving forward, are updates on any White House official who test positive for Covid-19 that the White House medical unit deemed as having close contact with the President, vice president, first lady, or second gentlemen. That will be up to the White House medical unit based on the criteria of the CDC,” Psaki said aboard Air Force One on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Psaki said the White House would release information for any positive case only if it was that of a “commissioned officer.”

“There have been. I will say that we, according to an agreement we made during the transition to be transparent and make information available, we committed that we would release information proactively if it is commissioned officers," Psaki said during Tuesday’s White House press briefing when asked if there had been other breakthrough cases among White House staff.

A White House "commissioned officer" is any official who has a version of "assistant to the President" in their title. According to a July report to Congress on White House personnel, there are over 130 staffers at that level.

Psaki said there are approximately 2,000 people who work on White House campus each day, though of course not all of those individuals would come in close contact with a principal.

The press secretary said statistically, breakthrough cases will occur at the White House, just as they have across the country, but that the White House is prepared for that. In addition, Psaki said the breakthrough cases are proof the vaccines work as those cases are typically mild or asymptomatic and generally do not lead to severe illness or hospitalization. 

Psaki said an email from the White House’s Covid-19 operations protocol team was sent to White House staff today informing them of the new policy and added that at no point has the President been forced to self-quarantine or change his habits due to a close contact with an individual who has tested positive for Covid-19.

CNN reported earlier Tuesday that a White House official and a senior aide in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office, who are both fully vaccinated, have tested positive for Covid-19. Axios was first to report the breakthrough cases.

Psaki later clarified the White House official who tested positive was not a commissioned officer, but declined to say what office the official worked in, citing privacy concerns. None of the other positive cases were commissioned officers, either, she said, explaining that the White House would have proactively released that information. Psaki declined to say how many breakthrough cases had been recorded, or what level of staff was affected.

On masking, Psaki said the White House remains committed to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

“We abide by public health guidance by the CDC. The CDC guidelines currently are if you are vaccinated you do not need to wear a mask. If you are not vaccinated, you should wear a mask. That's the guidelines we continue to give to members of the White House staff,” Psaki said. 

  

5:30 p.m. ET, July 21, 2021

British researchers find more evidence two-dose vaccines protect well against Delta variant of coronavirus

From CNN's Maggie Fox

A healthcare worker prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 17.
A healthcare worker prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 17. (Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

Researchers in Britain reported Wednesday they had found more evidence that two doses of Pfizer’s and AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccines protect people well against the Delta variant of coronavirus.

But a single dose of either vaccine provides very little protection against Delta, also known as B.1.617.2, the researchers reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The team looked at overall vaccine efficacy in England first when the Alpha variant, known also as B.1.1.7, was the predominate variant, and then when Delta took over.

The vaccines being given in England are Pfizer’s two-dose vaccine and AstraZeneca’s two dose vaccine.

“Effectiveness after one dose of vaccine was notably lower among persons with the Delta variant than among those with the Alpha variant; the results were similar for both vaccines,” Dr. Jamie Lopez Bernal of Public Health England and colleagues wrote.

Against Delta, a single dose of either vaccine was only about 30% effective, they found.

“With the BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) vaccine, the effectiveness of two doses was 93.7% among persons with the Alpha variant and 88.0% among those with the Delta variant. With the ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca) nCoV-19 vaccine, the effectiveness of two doses was 74.5% among persons with the Alpha variant and 67.0% among those with the Delta variant,” they added.

“Only modest differences in vaccine effectiveness were noted with the Delta variant as compared with the Alpha variant after the receipt of two vaccine doses," it continued.

England’s complete database of medical records helped the team do the research.

“The large scale of testing and whole-genome sequencing in the United Kingdom, as well as the recording of vaccination status in a national vaccination register, allowed us to analyze vaccine effectiveness within a few weeks of the Delta variant first emerging in the United Kingdom,” they wrote.

 

4:49 p.m. ET, July 21, 2021

White House says it's not relying on other countries when deciding to lift travel restrictions

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

The White House says it will rely on its own health experts — and not the actions of other countries — when determining when to lift restrictions on foreign travelers.

"We rely on the guidance of our health and medical experts, not on the actions of other countries," press secretary Jen Psaki said aboard Air Force One.

After Canada announced this week it would reopen to vaccinated Americans, the US said Wednesday it was extending the closure of its northern and southern borders through Aug. 21. It has similarly kept in place restrictions on travelers from Europe, despite the EU lifting restrictions on Americans.

Biden has come under pressure to lift the rules, including from allies and travel industry representatives, who argue they aren't in line with current science.

After being pressed on the issue last week by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Biden told reporters: "I'll be able to answer that question to you within the next several days — what is likely to happen."

He hasn't said anything since then.

"He gets regular updates from his Covid team. That's what he was referring to," Psaki said.

4:23 p.m. ET, July 21, 2021

Vaccine inequity is "not acceptable, by any stretch of the imagination," World Trade chief says

From CNN's Pamela Boykoff

Director-general of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala speaks during the press conference in Venice, Italy on July 9.
Director-general of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala speaks during the press conference in Venice, Italy on July 9. (Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images)

Current inequity in vaccine access is “not acceptable, by any stretch of the imagination," Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization, told CNN's Richard Quest.

She said that while vaccine production is increasing rapidly, only a small fraction of doses are going to Africa and low-income countries.

“There's a dawning on everyone, including rich countries and including manufacturers, that it's in our own self-interest, it is in the self-interest of rich countries to support poor countries to get better access. So we are hoping that this dawning will lead to changes,” she said.
4:18 p.m. ET, July 21, 2021

At least four US athletes will not compete in the Olympics due to Covid-19

The Olympics are set to begin this Friday, but several athletes from around the globe have withdrawn from the Games due to positive Covid-19 tests. From Team USA, at least four US athletes will not be competing due to the virus.

Here's what we know about the US athletes who tested positive:

  • Taylor Crabb: Crabb, a member of the US men's beach volleyball team, will not be participating in the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive, according to NBC News. "The health and safety of our athletes, coaches and staff is our top priority. We can confirm that a member of Team USA tested positive upon their arrival into Japan," USA Volleyball said in a statement today. Crabb is expected to be replaced by Tri Bourne, according to California newspaper The Orange County Register
  • Kara Eaker: Eaker, a member of the US gymnastics team, tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, according to her father. Despite being asymptomatic and vaccinated, the 18-year-old alternate tested positive for multiple coronavirus tests after arriving in Japan, her father said. Eaker will now be isolating in a hotel for 10 days before returning home to the US. In addition, a second alternate on the gymnastics team is in isolation after having close contact with Eaker, USA Gymnastics said in a statement.
  • Cori "Coco" Gauff: Gauff, a women's tennis player, will miss the Tokyo Olympics after she tested positive for Covid-19. The 17-year-old athlete, currently the 25th ranked woman in the world, announced the news on Twitter on Sunday. "It has always been a dream of mine to represent the USA at the Olympics, and I hope there will be many more chances for me to make this come true in the future," Gauff tweeted. "I want to wish TEAM USA best of luck and a safe games for every Olympian and the entire Olympic family."
  • Katie Lou Samuelson:  Samuelson, a member of the US Olympic 3x3 women's basketball team, announced on Instagram that she will not be able to compete in the Games after being diagnosed with Covid-19. The 24-year-old athlete said she was "heartbroken" to come down with Covid-19 because she was fully vaccinated. "I am devastated to share that after getting sick with COVID-19, I will not be able to go and compete in Tokyo," Samuelson wrote. "Competing in the Olympics has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl and I hope that someday soon, I can come back and fulfill that dream." Samuelson has had her roster spot filled by Jackie Young.

CNN's Alyssa Kraus, Homero De la Fuente, Amir Vera, Kevin Dotson, Dan Moriarty and Chie Kobayashi contributed to this post.

4:12 p.m. ET, July 21, 2021

UK government increases pay rise for pandemic health workers after public outcry

From CNN's Rob Iddiols

Healthcare workers and supporters take part in a protest march from University College Hospital to Whitehall on July 3, in London.
Healthcare workers and supporters take part in a protest march from University College Hospital to Whitehall on July 3, in London. (Mark Kerrison/In Pictures/Getty Images)

National public health care workers in the UK will receive a 3% pay rise to recognize “their pandemic contribution,” according to the Department of Health, more than the 1% increase promised in March that stirred public consternation. 

The pay rise will backdate to April 2021 for staff including nurses, paramedics, consultants, dentists, and salaried general practitioners. However on Tuesday, a petition with more than 800,000 signatories was delivered to Downing Street that called for a 15% pay increase for all NHS staff. 

Initially offered a 1% pay rise in March this year, NHS staff, unions, and the general public argued the proposal was an unfair reflection of health workers’ contribution during the pandemic. 

According to a statement from the Department of Health and Social Care on Wednesday, the government has accepted the recommendations of the independent NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) and the Review Body for Doctors’ and Dentists’ Renumeration (DDRB) and is “committed to providing NHS staff with a pay uplift in recognition of the unique impact of the pandemic on the NHS.” 

For the average nurse, this will mean an additional £1,000 ($1,371) a year, while many porters and cleaners will receive around £540 more, the government said. 

“NHS staff are rightly receiving a pay rise this year despite the wider public sector pay pause, in recognition of their extraordinary efforts. We asked the independent pay review bodies for their recommendations and I’m pleased to accept them in full, with a 3% pay rise for all staff in scope, from doctors and nurses to paramedics and porters," Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said.

 

2:54 p.m. ET, July 21, 2021

Russian swimmer to miss Summer Olympics following positive Covid-19 test

From CNN's David Close

Russia's Ilya Borodin reacts after winning the final of the Mens 400m Individual Medley Swimming event during the LEN European Aquatics Championships at the Duna Arena in Budapest on May 23.
Russia's Ilya Borodin reacts after winning the final of the Mens 400m Individual Medley Swimming event during the LEN European Aquatics Championships at the Duna Arena in Budapest on May 23. (Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images)

Russian swimmer Ilya Borodin will not take part in the upcoming Summer Olympics as planned due to testing positive for Covid-19, according to the Russian Swimming Federation.  

Russian officials stated Wednesday that Borodin tested positive before leaving for Japan.  

According to the official Tokyo 2020 Olympics site, the 18-year-old was originally outlooked to swim in the men's 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley events. 

Borodin won the men’s 400-meter individual medley at the European Aquatics Championships in May.

The federation statement reads: 

"Unfortunately, during the final training camp in Vladivostok, one of the leaders of the Olympic team, European champion Ilya Borodin tested positive for Covid-19, which is why he will not take part in the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The team's specialists followed all the isolation rules in accordance with the requirements of Rospotrebnadzor (Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing). All athletes, coaches and specialists have tested negative for coronavirus." 

CNN's Gena Somra contributed to this report.

1:51 p.m. ET, July 21, 2021

Only 15% of Latin America, Caribbean fully vaccinated against Covid-19, health official says

From CNN’s Tatiana Arias

A nurse of the Health Secretariat prepares a Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 at the Jose Cecilio del Valle civic centre in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on June 2
A nurse of the Health Secretariat prepares a Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 at the Jose Cecilio del Valle civic centre in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on June 2 (Orlando Sierra/AFP/Getty Images)

Only 15% of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, as “more and more disease trends are showing a region divided by vaccine access,” the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Director Carissa Etienne said on Wednesday.

“Unfortunately, across Latin America and the Caribbean, only 15% of the people have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and several countries, like Honduras and Haiti, have yet to reach even 1%,” Etienne said during PAHO’s weekly news briefing on the effects of the pandemic.

According to Etienne, in countries with adequate vaccine supply – such as Costa Rica, Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina – infections are decreasing. Whereas in places where vaccine coverage is still low, infections remain high.

“Honduras is seeing an increase in Covid cases in states along its border. In the Caribbean, Covid cases and deaths are spiking in Cuba, where many provinces are reporting dramatic increases in new infections. The situation is especially acute in the province of Matanzas,” Etienne added.

While vaccine donations are on their way, “vaccine coverage remains dangerously low in many more countries across our region,” Etienne said, adding that “Covid-19 cases are accelerating in most Central American countries, with Guatemala reporting high infections and hospitalizations.”

“These trends illustrate how Covid-19 remains entrenched within our region, particularly in countries with low vaccination coverage. And the spread of variants only makes matters worse. So far, 47 countries and territories in our region have detected at least one ‘variant of concern’ and 11 have detected all four of today’s most concerning variants: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta,” according to Etienne.